Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
"Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile" (Mk. 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23).
In the Gospel, according to Mark (7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23), Jesus is not opposing the law of God, but the human tradition of the Pharisees, that sought to dictate how the law must be kept. What He says is that observance of the law must proceed from within…from “the word of God planted inside you.”
I walked around and prayed about this Gospel. It kept calling me to speak out. This is a voting year with our democracy at stake. Mark’s reading is relevant to today’s political landscape. Political factions are imposing their will upon our nation. They want everyone to follow their idea of religion and of being an American. Sadly, like the Pharisees, they believe their customs and practices are the only way to live and a way to holiness.
“Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me;in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.You disregard God's commandment but cling to human tradition"(Mk. 7:6-7).
Like the Pharisees, some politicians preach their idea of family values. These values have little connection with Jesus’s teaching of Love for Humanity. We see special monied interest groups, restrictions on voting rights, women’s rights, access to quality medical care and childcare, book banning, turning a blind eye to climate change effects on our environment, downright ignoring of Indigenous peoples’ rights, immigrants, and the erasure of the authentic trauma of African American history in this country. These legislators are not following Jesus’s Love for One Another message.
"From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within, and they defile" (Mk. 7: 21-23).
Following Jesus is not opposing the law. The observance of the law must come from within, from the word of the Lord planted from within.
"Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person, but the things that come out from within are what defile" (Mk 7:14-15).
In the coming months, our nation can give evidence of its wisdom and intelligence by keeping close to God and to the principles founded on: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Register to Vote. Make a plan on how to Vote. Make sure you are still registered. Check weekly. VOTE! Let your voices be heard. Be a people of action and participate in the works of justice, compassion, equality, love, and fairness. These tenets elevate, not separate, nor destroy.
May we be a people that not only honor God with our lips but also with our hearts, keeping His great commandment, ‘Love God above all and Love your Neighbor” no matter who they are.
“The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord” (Ps. 15:1.
Grand Lady Bridgett Vavasseur
Knights of Peter Claver and the Ladies Auxiliary
Sacred Heart of Jesus Court 121
Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church
Los Angeles, CA
The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
Thank you for engaging with this blog. Should you find the content enriching, consider subscribing to Eat the Scroll Ministry for updates on our newest blog posts. Feel free to like and share this with someone you know. Evangelist/Professor Howard
Comments